Reconditioning and converting containers



Sept. 26, 1950 J. s. TUCKER REcoNDITIoNING AND coNvERTrNG CONTAINERS 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed March 5, 1947 FIG. i

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l VII( 1 Sept. 26, 1950 J. s. TUCKER REcoNDITIoNING AND CONVERTING CONTAINERS 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 3, 1947 INVENTOR. c/aco 75g/(ef M fw HTTOR/VEY Patented Sept. 26, 1956 UNITED STATES PATIENT OFFICE "RECONDITIONIN G AND CONVERTING "CONTAINERS :3 Claims.

This invention relates to containers of the class known-as steel drums, steelbarrels, etc., and'more particularly relates rto 'reconditioning used containers -for resale Aand vconcurrently converting them from one type to another.

Steel barrels, etc., as used in commerce after being emptied of the contents of their first use, such as paint,oil, etc., are not t forreusebecause ofthe residue therein of the original contents. A-considerable business has developed in the reconditioning Aof such used barrels for reuse. They are cleaned out inside by various processrrepaired if necessary, and repainted outside; and Ythere is a ready market for lthem because they can be thus reconditioned and sold for prot at a price competitive with that of new barrels.

Steel barrels, drums, etc. are generally of two types: th-ose having permanently closed'heads at both ends and provided with a bung for filling and discharging the contents; and those that at one end have a sealed removable head or cover for access to the interior.

A/concern in the business of reconditioning used barrels, buys both types in odd lots and vin 'quantities and `stores them, and they become his raw stok, 'from which he reconditions them in regular production `on orders; f

- vltlifrequently occurs however that the `market demand for barrelsofnthe Vremovable cover type exhausts fthe raw stock of that type. Thisfsituation could-be met by converting used -barrelsof the permanently closed type into barrels of the removable cover type, and the obvious lprocedure Wouldbe to cut off `one end of the body of a permanently closed barrel and reconstruct that "end to be like those originally made that Way. When this is attempted, however, the cost of the jconversion of the used barrels is tooifhigh to .compete with new ones; because itinvolves a complete fabrication process including machinery for rollingv over the end vof the barrel body, to provide the usual-rounded or` rolled'chine which the trade demands, etc.

Such reconversion furthermore includes the manufacture of the removable head and some kind of gasket to seal it on the end of the barrel.

Now the permanently closed type of used barrels inthe raw stock storage of a concern engaged in the reconditioning business, purchased as they are in odd lots at different sources, and having been Ymade A.by different original Amanufacturers, are of different diameters. Steel barrel containers for example of the fifty gallon size vary `in diameter fromv twenty-two inches to A twenty-two :and one-'half '.inches. To provide `relill 2 movable headsand-sealing gaskets for them vof the usual t'construction 'would lrequire the making ro'f heads andv gaskets of corresponding different diameters, whichwould add still more to the cost of -the `conversion process, dies, machinery, etc.

' The problem then ispresented, rst, of 'devising a short cut process and afconstruction, by'which a permanently closed barrel or vthe like `may be converted to one having'a'removable sealed head and which may 'be vprocticed at small cost; -and second, to provide a construction of removable cover Aand sealing gasket of Aa single diameter, which can be applied equally well in thus converting 'barrels A'ef -a vwide range of commercial diameters.

f It is the object of -this invention tosolve this dual problem.

The invention itself isset forth in the appended claims; and an illustrative embodiment of the invention is fully described 'in Vthe `following speiication,'taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a longitudinal sectional view of one end of asteel barrel, -or the like, of the permanently closed type, showing the conventional construction of the closed lend and chine thereof; and which is tobe converted into a removable cover type as hereinbefore referred to, bythe practice of the invention;

Fig. i2 is a View of theparts 4of Fig. 1 showing some 'of =the=steps of' the conversion process; vand illustrating certain relations "of the barrel lchine and aseparately made'head and gasket construction, '-whenlthe barrel vbody is `one Aof maximum diameter, in a range -of diameters;

Figk3 `isa -view ofthe `parts of *Fig 2 showing a clampingring added 'theretorby which the lheadis sealed'upon the chineoffthe barrel by the gasket construction; Y -'-"Fig.4 is aview similar'to `vFig. Sfillustrating lth'e 'samehead and fgasket construction as in Fig. v3, but in the case of abarrel of minimum diameter in ithe range of diameters; i Figs.'5,f6, and -7 are 'fragmentary views corresponding Ato parts of Figs. 2, '3, and lrespectively, illustrating modications of the gasket construction :and of zthe clamping ring;

Fig. -8 iis a .fragmentary elevational view of a part of the clamping ring taken in the .direction of'thearrow Bof Fig. 3or`Fig.-4;

`rFig;` 9 fis :a viewtaken in the direction of `the arrowfof 8;`

Fig. 210 is a top plan view of a hand operated clamping device for operating the clamping ring in the process :of sealing the --head on 'the ivbarrel;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view from the plane II-II of Fig. 10.

Referring to the drawing, I have shown in Fig. 1 one end of a conventional steel barrel or drum (the other end being substantially the same) and both ends thus being of the perma-l nently closed type. The construction comprises a sheet metal cylindrical body side wall I; a head 2 having a head body proper 3; and a side wall 4 telescoped into the bodywall I and the outer ends of the two walls rolled over as at 5 and making a sealed chine having an outer' rounded chine end or edge 6 and inwardly thereof an external chine shoulder 'L In the practice of the invention, I prefer to start with a drum of this construction.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, a large opening 8 is cut out of the original head body 3; as illustrated, the entire head body is cut away, buta smaller opening may be provided, if preferred.

A detachable head 9 is formed by stamping and pressing operations, to have a central head bodyproper as at I; and a side wall II, at the outer end of which is a radially outwardly extending flange I2 formed to have an axially inwardly concave channel I3 therein.

With the purposes of the invention in mind as referred to hereinbefore, the head thus formed is to be attached to drums of different diameters in a range of commercial diameters; and, as will appear, in mounting it, the co-ncave channel I3 is in general nested with the chine 5, or concavely confronts it. In order that, as referred to, a single size or diameter of head may be used with drums of the entire range of dilarneters, the side wall I I of the head is made of sufficiently small diameter to telescope within a drum of the minimum diameter and this is shown in Fig. 4; the same head being shown in Figs. 2 and 3 telescoped into a drum of the maximum diameter.

Also in order that the head channel I3 will nest with the chines of the entire range of diameters, it is made of sufficiently greater radial width than-the chine, Fig. 4 showing it nesting with the chine of the minimum diameter drum. and Fig. 3 showing it nesting with the chine 5 of the maximum diameter drum. n

As will be described, the head 9 is clamped downwardly upon the drum end, with the chine 5 and head channel I3 nested together, and with a sealing gasket therebetween.

In Figs. 2 to 4, one form of gasket is shown, this form being in two parts Ma and Mb functioning as a one piece gasket.

The gasket part Illa is annular and U-shape in cross section, straddling the chine 5. For minimal cost, it may be formed from tubing of rubber or the like, split longitudinally along one side, cut to suitable length, bent into an annulus, and the ends secured together in any suitable manner, for example, by adhesive. The side walls of the U-shape lie along the inner end and outer walls of the chine but stop short of the shoulder l. The diameter of the annulus may be made suitable for a drum of minimum diameter in theV range, and may be stretched to t drums of the maximum diameter.

The other portion Mb of the gasket is also an annulus of rubber or the like. It may be made from a strip of rubber, for example of rectangular cross section, cut to length and the ends secured together. It is placed in the head channel I3 substantially filling it `from side to side, and may therefore bev of a single diameter'l for all diameters of drum, and if desired may' be secured in the head channel by adhesive to facilitate assembling operations.

The head 9 is detachably mounted on the drum by a sheet metal clamping ring shown generally at I5. This ring is of channel section, concave radially inwardly, bent into the form of a split annulus with a gap I6 at the split. It is telescoped downwardly over the head channel I3 and chine 5 and is then in the condition shown in Fig. 10; and then as illustrated in that gure, a constricting and clamping tool I1 is associated therewith. The too-l comprises a channel-form tool annulus shown generally at I8 split to provide a gap I9 and embracing the clamping ring I5 and lying thereon, being supported by tongues -20 overlapping the clamping ring I5. Arms 2I-22 spaced apart at opposite sides of the gap I9 are pivoted to the two parts 23 and 24 of a toggle lever mechanism, pivoted together at 25; one of the parts being extended into a handle 2S. By operating the handle in a well known manner the tool annulus I8 is constricted and constricts the clamping ring I5.

Constricting of the clamping ring moves it to position of Fig. 3 or Fig. 4, where as seen, its channel flanges engage the upper side of the head channel I3 and the shoulder 'I at the underside of the chine, and draws them together, putting the gasket Illa-llh under sealing compression.

The clamping ring I5 has a pair of eye lugs 21 and 28 welded thereto near the split I6 in the ring, and after it is in clamped constricted condition, a bolt 29 is passed through the eye lugs, and a nut 30 is put on the bolt to hold the ring in that condition; after which the clamping tool may be removed.

The chine 5 will be under a radially inner part of the gasket annulus Ilia-Mb for drums of small diameter as shown in Fig. 4; and under a radially outer part for large diameter drums as shown in Fig. 3; but will seal equally well for all diameters in the said range. Likewise the radially outer side wall 3| of the head channel I3 will project farther into the channel of the clamping ring I5 in one case as in Fig. 4 and not so far as in Fig. 3 but will work equallyA well in both'cases, the depth of the clamping ring channel I5 beingy predetermined for this purpose.

The gasket as a, whole seals both upon the chine and upon the head as will be understood.

In Figs. 5 to '7 is shown a one piece gasket 32- to have a U-form or J-form section at the -lower part to straddle the chine 5; and an upper part extending above the chine and having a sealing surface 3d to be clampingly engaged by the head channel I3; and between the chine 5 and thesealing surface 3d has interiorly thereof an annular cavity to render it compressible. When the gasket is compressed by applying the clamp-V ing ring 33 (as described above for the clampingv ring I5) it seals on both the chine 5 and on the. head 9; and for drums of small diameter takes' up the compressed and deformed shape of Fig. 7, and for large diameter drums, that of Fig. 6. The great radial extent of the head channel I3 leaves.

space for the deformed gasketto expand laterally;

The one piece gasket 32 isl into the spaces as shown at 36 and 31, Figs. 6

and 7.

The gasket 32 also may be made into the form of an annulus by cutting off a suitable length of the extruded rubber, bending it to annular form, and securing its ends together; and to t the chines of all diameters would be made of suitable tated by means of a coating of cement on the chine before being rst fitted thereon.

The head 9 can in each case above .described be removed upon removing the bolt 29 and allowing the clamping ring l5 (or 33) to expand back to its original unconstricted condition; and upon then removing it.

I claim:

1. A container of the steel drum class comprising a sheet metal tubular body having a side wall of circular section, a sheet metal head having a tubular side wall of circular section, telescoped into the body side wall, and the two side walls rolled upon each other at their tubular ends and providing a chine, having a rounded annular end edge, and having a shoulder on the outside of the body side wall spaced from the end edge; a large access opening through the head; an annular gasket of rubber or like compressiblydeformable material having a concave annular recess iitting over and embracing the chine and having recess side walls terminating short of the said shoulder and the recess bottom engaging the rounded end edge of the chine, and the gasket having a sealing surface axially outward of the chine; theannular gasket being formed to normally t upon the aforesaid chine when the drum is of minimum diameter in the range of commercial diameters, and the gasket material being elastic to cause the gasket to fit as aforesaid upon the chine when the drum is of the maximum diameter` in said range; a circular sheet metal head having an annular side wall telescopable into the drum side Wall at the chine end, and the head side wall terminating axially outwardly in a radially outwardly extending flange formed to provide an annular channel concavely confronting the gasket covered chine; the head side wall being of a diameter to telescope as aforesaid into the drum when it is of the aforesaid minimum diameter; the channel being of greater radial dimension than the gasket covered chine to concavely confront as aforesaid the gasket covered chine of the drum when its diameter is any diameter in the aforesaid range of diameters: a sheet metal, annular, radially inwardly concave, channel-form, split, clamping-ring, formed to embrace between its channel side walls the head channel axially outwardly thereof and the said chine shoulder, when radially constrictingly contracted, and to sealingly press the head channel bottom upon the said gasket sealing surface and the gasket recess bottom upon the chine end; and detachable means to retain the constricted clam-ping ring in constricted clamping condition to sealingly, detachably, mount the head on the drum.

2. A container of the steel drum type comprising a head at one end having the metal of the head rolled with that of the drum body into a chine, with an exterior chine shoulder at an axially inner portion of the chine; a large access opening in the head; a detachable cover having a side wall of predetermined diameter small enough to telescope within the drum end when the drum is of the minimum diameter in the range of commercial drum diameters; the side wall of the head terminating in a flange overlapping the chine; the fange having a channel therein concave toward the chine; the channel being of predetermined radial extent great enough to nest with the chine when the diameter of the chine is any diameter in said range of commercial diameters from the minimum up to and including the maximum diameter; a gasket of rubber or like material between the head channel bottom and the chine; a split clamping ring Y of channel section constrictingly embracing the head channel and the chine shoulder, and compressing the gasket between the channel bottom and the chine; and detachable means to hold the ring constricted to detachably sealingly mount the head on the chine.

3. A container of the steel drum type comprising a head at one end having the metal of the head rolled with that of the drum body into a chine, with an exterior chine shoulder at an axially innerportion of the chine; a large access opening in the head; a detachable cover having a channel therein concave toward the chine, and the channel being of predetermined radial extent great enough to nest with the chine when the diameter of the chine is any diameter from the maximum diameter to the minimum diameter in the range of commercial diameters; a gasket of rubber or like material between the bottom of the head channel and the chine; a split clamping ring of channel section constrictingly embracing the head channel and the chine shoulderv and compressing the gasket between the channel bottom and the chine; and detachable means to hold the ring constricted to detachably sealingly mount the head on the chine.

JACOB S. TUCKER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the flle of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,083,503 Nelson June 8, 1937 2,152,634 Cornell Apr. 4, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date '185,438 France Aug. 9, 1935 815,792 France 'Apr. 19, 1937 

